Uproar in Assembly over Wikileaks expose

Bhubaneswar: The State Assembly was adjourned following an uproar in the Assembly over Wikileaks expose on the alleged `cash-for-votes` scam in 2008. The issue was raised by ruling BJD member Kalpataru Das during the Zero Hour demanding resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The treasury bench supported Das and sought an unanimous resolution in the House against the UPA-I government`s alleged act.

Describing Congress as "habitual" in bribery cases, BJP supported Independent member Pratap Sarangi also supported BJD lawmakers, who were demanding passing of a resolution condemning UPA government at Centre.

Alleging that the Prime Minister had earned "shame" for the entire nation by bribing MPs, former minister and senior BJD MLA Rabi Nanda said, "The Prime Minister should immediately resign from his post."

Defending the UPA government, Congress member Anup Sai and Debi Prasanna Chand rejected the allegation claiming that democracy was in danger in Orissa under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik.

Congress members statement evoked sharp protest from the treasury bench where BJD members shouted slogans against the Prime Minister and the UPA government.

As the Congress members rushed to well of the House to lodge their protest and BJD MLAs on their feet, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat adjourned the House till 3 PM.